Lot
4114 
Australian States: Victoria, 1861 (Apr. 6) Castlemaine, Victoria to Boston Mass. via London, registered cover bearing Victoria, 1s blue (25) three singles, each tied by numeral barred oval, matching "Castlemaine, Victoria, AU 6, 61" rimless oval backstamp, red "Registered, Melbourne, AU 8, 61" rimless cds, red manuscript "1/6" (32¢) credit to G.B. rating, carried by P&O Northam from Melbourne Apr. 26th to Galle arriving May 15th, P&O Simla May 19th to Suez arriving Jun. 5th, and P&O Ceylon from Alexandria Jun. 6th to Southampton arriving Jun. 20th, red Registered London (6.20) oval transit and matching "Registered" crown handstamp, magenta "21/6" crossed out and updated to "5/6" credit to U.S., carried by Cunard Line Persia from Liverpool Jun. 22nd to New York arriving Jul. 3rd, bold red "Boston Br. Pkt. 'Paid' Jul 3" exchange cds; some edge wear, one 1s faulty and second folded over edge, a Very Fine and rare registered use to the United States. Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
THE EARLIEST RECORDED PAID-TO-DESTINATION COVER TO THE EASTERN UNITED STATES.
Published rates in Victoria and NSW show a 3/ registered rate to the United States, which consisted of 1/ Victoria registration, 6d Empire Rate to England, 6d British registration plus 1/ transatlantic (including USA and GB internal postage). Great Britain original credited "21/6" for 16¢ American packet, 5¢ inland and 6¢ registration fee, but updated to "5/6" as letter sent by British packet so only 5¢ inland and 6¢ registration fee credited. The 5¢ inland credit was in error
References: Illustrated and Discussed in Milgrams "Foreign Registered Mail: 1855-1875, Part Two: British" in the Chronicle May 2019, p. 183, fig. 23.
Realized: $1,300